Froth flotation of micaceous minerals



United States Patent 3,214,018 FROTH FLOTATION 0F MICACEOUS MINERALS John P. Neal, Spruce Pine, N.C., assiguor to The Feldspar Corporation, Spruce Pine, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina No Drawing. Filed Oct. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 229,214 13 Claims. (Cl. 209-466) The present invention relates to the concentration of micaceous minerals by froth flotation. More particularly, this invention is directed to an improved process for the concentration of micaceous materials and their separation from ores containing the same. Still more particularly, it relates to the use of certain chemical compounds belonging to the alkyl benzene sulfonate group used as depressants in the froth flotation separation of micaceous materials from other ore components.

Because of its unique properties, which permit it to be split into thin, transparent sheets, mica has always enjoyed commercial popularity from the very early days of use in the manufacture of fireproof windows, stoves and furnace doors to present day uses in the electrical industry. Additionally, flotation mica at minus 20 mesh is used mainly as a mud component in oil-well drilling, and as a component in the manufacture of asphalt-impregnated roofing felt.

At present, the accepted commercial process for the recovery of mica from ores containing the same involves the following conditioning and step. The ground, screened and deslimed ore is conditioned, in an acid circuit, at from to 70 percent solids with the appropriate amount of a strong inorganic mineral acid, such as sulfuric acid, fuel oil, a cationic collector, usually a long chain fatty acid amine and a suitable frother, usually a crude or refined pine oil or a polypropylene glycol. The conditioned pulp is then diluted and subjected to froth flotation, and a flotation concentrate consisting mainly of mica is removed, the tailings then proceeding on for further separations.

This process has proven very successful in effecting the desired flotation of mica. However, it does suffer disadvantages and shortcomings and leaves something to be desired, being usually not selective enough, thus producing a micaceous froth product with more grit. Thus, the above process is also accompanied by a lower recovery of associated minerals such as feldspar and quartz. In the case of micaceous minerals less responsive to flotation, such as biotite, these are insufficiently removed, and thus contaminate the under-flowing feed. It has also been observed that the above process is subject to poor selectivity when weathered ores are handled.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved process for beneficiating or concentrating ores.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved process for beneficiating or concentrating micaceous ores by a froth flotation process.

A still further object of the invention resides in the prevision of a new reagent for use as a depressant in beneficiation and concentration of micaceous ores.

Still another object of the invention contemplates the provision of an efiicient and efficacious process for the separation of micaceous materials from other components of micaceous ores to provide mica concentrate.

See

A still further object of the invention contemplates the provision of an improved process for the production of micaceous materials, which process is characterized by a lower mica grit.

The present invention is based, in part, upon the discovery that very selective and eflicient separation of mica from other components of ores is readily achieved in an acid or neutral flotation circuit (i.e. pH of 7 or less) wherein an alkyl aromatic sulfonic acid or sulfonate thereof is employed alone as a depressant or in combination with a strong inorganic mineral acid, to effect or improve froth flotation of mica from other minerals. It should be emphasized that this compound is in no wise rep resented as a promoter or collector. Further, no claim is made regarding existing flotation techniques unless such a compound is present and is so employed.

Thus, one embodiment of this invention is directed to an improved process for the benefication and concentration of micaceous materials.

Another embodiment of this invention is directed to an improved process for the beneficiation and concentration of micaceous materials employing a novel reagent as a sole or auxiliary depressant in a neutral or acid flotation circuit for the beneficiation and concentration of micaceous ores.

Yet another embodiment of this invention is directed to the beneficiation of micaceous materials which involves the use of an alkyl aromatic sulfonic acid as a component of an acid flotation circuit designed for the separation and concentration of micaceous material from other ore components.

A further embodiment of this invention is directed to a process for the beneficiation of micaceous materials which comprises the steps of:

(a) Forming an aqueous pulp of a size-reduced micaceous ore,

(b) Conditioning the ore pulp with a reagent combination comprising an alkyl aromatic sulfonic acid or sulfonate thereof, an oiling agent, a frother and a cationic collector,

(c) Subjecting the conditioned ore to aeration and agitation at a pH of less than 6, and

(d) Separating and collecting a purified micaceous material as a froth concentrate from the flotation tailings.

Micaceous ores which can be beneficiated in accordance with the novel procedure herein described include ores containing micas such as musoovite, biotite, lepidolite, phlogopite, vermiculite, and chlorite. Such micaceous ores can contain, as gangue minerals, feldspar, quartz, spodumene, ferromagnesian minerals, kaolin, garnet, hematite, and magnetite.

The alkyl aromatic sulfonic acids which find utility as promoters and/ or depressants in carrying out the process of this invention are, in general, surface active agents prepared by reacting sulfonating agents with alkyl substituted aromatic compounds. In particular, sulfonic acid derivatives of alkaryl hydrocarbons are preferred because of their ready availability and low cost, with monosulfonic acid derivatives of alkaryl hydrocarbons being particularly preferred.

Alkyl aromatic sulfonic acids which can be employed in the procedures of the invention include those defined by the structural formula:

wherein (R) represents one or more alkyl, alkaryl or aralkyl groups, Ar represents a single or condensed nucleus which can be partially hydrogenated if desired and M represents hydrogen or a metal, preferably an alkali metal such as sodium.

In general, the alkyl groups of the aromatic sulfonic acids contain from 1 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl groups. Monoalkyl benzene sulfonates when employed should preferably contain from 9 to 16 carbon atoms.

Typical alkyl aromatic sulfonic acids and sulfonates which can be employed include o-tolylsulfonic acid; mtolylsulfonic acid; p-tolylsulfonic acid; Xylene sulfonic acids; dinonyl naphthalene sulfonic acid; didodecyl benzene sulfonic acid; mono-tetrapropyl benzene sulfonic acid; di-tetrapropyl benzene sulfonic acid; dodecyl benzene sulfonate; sodium ditertiarybutyl benzene sulfonate; sodium amyl benzene sulfonate; sodium o-Xylene benzene sulfonate; sodium toluene benzene sulfonate; sodium m-xylene benzene sulfonate; sodium p-xylene benzene sulfonate; sodium alpha-naphthalene benzene sulfonate; 6- methyl-6-dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid; 5-ethyl-5-undecyl benzene sulfonic acid; 6-ethyl-6-undecyl benzene sulfonic acid; S-n-propyl-S-undecyl benzene sulfonic acid; 6-npropyl-6-undecyl benzene sulfonic acid; 6-n-propyl-6- dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid; 5-n-butyl-5-dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid; S-n-butyl-S-undecyl benzene sulfonic acid; 6-butyl-6-undecyl benzene sulfonic acid; 6-butyl-6- dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid; 7-ethyl-7-tetradecyl benzene sulfonic acid; 7-n-propyl-7-tridecyl benzene sulfonic acid and the like.

Since the sulfonic acid derivatives are usually recovered from their reaction mixtures as the salt, they can be employed, as such, directly in the procedures of this invention, if desired. To this extent, the sulfonic acids can be associated with other materials created during synthesis or neutralization and can be used directly since the presence of contaminants does not materially affect the performance of the sulfonic acids as promoters and/ or depressants.

In employing the alkyl aromatic sulfonic acids in conjunction with the cationic collectors described above in producing a mica concentrate, the alkyl aromatic sulfonic acid can be employed as the sole depressent in the flotation circuit or can be used in conjunction with strong, inorganic mineral acids such as sulfuric or hydrochloric acids. In fact, it is sometimes desirable to use a combination of a mineral acid with alkyl aromatic sulfonic acids since, if the commercially available alkyl aromatic sulfonic acid had been over-causticized before use, the presence of a strong, inorganic mineral acid will assure a lowered pH in the flotation circuit, which is desirable. The conjoint use of acids has also been observed to provide beneficial results in that micaceous minerals, during reclean flotation, are more prone to drop any non-micaceous grit that they may have managed to pick up during primary flotation, thus improving the final mica product. It has also been observed that the presence of some mineral acid aids in dewatering of floated mica by drainage.

I The ratio of alkyl aromatic sulfonic acid to liberated floatable ore in the flotation circuit will vary according to the nature and condition of the ore. Also, varying levels of alkyl benzene sulfonic acids can be equally effective on identical ore, provided collector level is adjusted.

With regard to the acidity of the mica flotation circuit, the pH can be varied over a wide range on the acid side. Successful results are achieved at pH values of 6.0 or less, although a pH of 2.5 or below can be used, if desired. Mineral acids used in conjunction with the alkyl sulfonic acids are those capable of providing the desired pH conditions.

Cationic collectors which can be employed in conjunc tion with an aromatic sulfonate depressant to produce a mica concentrate can be any of the well known and readily available cationic materials. In particular, nitrogenous cationic collectors including the straight chain and cyclic variety are well known and, for this reason, are preferred. Representative nitrogenous cationic materials which find utility in the process of the invention include hexadecyl trimethylammonium bromide, heXadecyl trimethylammonium chloride, dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide, dodecyl trimethylammonium chloride, octadecyl trimethylammonium bromide, octadecyl trimethylammonium chloride, hexadecyl pyridinium chloride, hexadecyl pyridinium bromide, dodecyl pyridinium bromide, dodecyl pyridinium chloride, dodecyl amine hydrochloride, dodecyl amine hydrobromide, dodecyl amine hydronitrate, dodecyl amine hydroacetate, dodecyl amine hydrochloroacetate, hexadecyl amine hydrochloride, octadecyl amine hydrochloride, dodecyl dimethyl sulfonium methyl sulfate, dodecyl dimethyl sulfonium bromide, octadecyl methyl ethyl sulfonium iodide, tetradecyl dimethyl sulfonium bromide, dodecyl methyl cycloheXyl sulfonium iodide, dodecyl benzyl methyl sulfonium chloride, dodecyl amine hydrochloride, lauryl amine hydrochloride, polyalkylene polyamines, octadecyl amine hydrochloride, rosin amine, dihexyl amine, dodecyl amine hydrochloride, dihexyl amine acetate, dodecyl amine acetate, dioctyl amine, dioctyl amine acetate, didodecyl amine, didodecyl amine acetate didodecyl amine hydrochloride, diheXadecyl amine hydrochloride, butyl dodecyl amine, butyl octadecyl amine, hexyl dodecyl amine, hexyl dodecyl amine acetate, hexyl dodecyl amine hydrochloride, cetyl trimethylammonium bromide, cetyl trimethylammonium chloride, lauryl trimethylammonium bromide, lauryl trimethylammonium iodide, cetyl pyridinium bromide, dimethylbenzyl phenylammonium chloride sulfonated in the benzyl ring, beta-diethylaminoethyl oleyl amide acetate, beta-diethylaminoethyl oleyl amide hydrochloride, trimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate, amino oleyl ethylene diamine, quaternary ammonium compounds containing one aliphatic chain with 8 to 20 carbon atoms, imidazolines, water-soluble or acid-soluble compounds of amino cellulose such as chitosan acetate, trimethyl octadecyl ammonium bromide, trimethyl eicosyl ammonium iodide, octadecyl pyridinium bromide, octadecyl pyridinium chloride, octadecyl pyridinium iodide, trimethyl octadecyl ammonium chloride, trimethyl dodecyl ammonium bromide, octadecyl betahydroxyethyl morpholinium bromide, cetyl beta-hydroxyethyl morpholinium bromide, octadecyl quinolinium bromide, octadecyl alpha-pucolinium bromide, beta-stearamidophenyl trimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate and the like.

Still other cationic materials which can be employed in the procedures of this invention, if desired, are those disclosed in the following U.S. Patents: 2,088,325; 2,120,- 217; 2,132,902; 2,161,011; 2,168,849; 2,173,909; 2,177,- 985; 2,185,224; 2,185,968; 2,195,724; 2,205,503; 2,205,- 923; 2,221,485, 2,222,728; 2,238,439; 2,278,060; 2,336,- 015; and 2,132,902.

It should perhaps be brought out that the alkyl aryl sulfonates here under discussion belong to a group of compounds known as green sulfonic acids, or green soaps. Their important characteristic is water-solubility, as opposed to oil-soluble (but water-dispersible) characteristics of that sulfonate group known as mahogany acids or mahogany soaps.

Alkyl aryl sulfonates, while they can be, and are, derived from petroleum products, are not obtainable exclusively from petroleum sources: they can also be, and are, derived from coal tar products, and from living animal products. Therefore, they cannot be correctly designated as petroleum products or petroleum sulfonates, since that is not their sole origin.

It is not necessary that the ore be deslimed prior to use. However, in order to produce a cleaner product, and in many cases, reduce the reagent consumption, a simple desliming is generally found desirable. This may be carried out in any desired manner, in accordance with conventional practice. Usually this is done by hydraulic classification.

In general, the process wherein the invention is employed is relatively straightforward. The material to be treated is usually reduced to a size suitable for feed to the froth flotation operation, if this is necessary. In general, this will constitute reducing the material to about minus 20 mesh. The resultant particulate material is pulped in water and deslimed if such an operation is to be used. The use of caustic in the desliming operation may be helpful in some cases, detrimental in others. The deslimed sands are then usually conditioned with the flotation reagents. The conditioning is usually, but not necessarily, carried out at approximately 50-70 percent solids. A rougher flotation is then carried out and this is generally followed by a cleaner float. In the cleaner flotations, it may be desirable to add a small amount of additional frother in order to produce the best results. In addition, if there is not suflicient acid to maintain the desired pH, a small amount of make-up acid maybe used.

The following examples will serve to illustrate the practice of the invention. These examples illustrate the quantities of reagents and conditions which have proven effective for the production of mica concentrates from ores containing micaceous materials.

Trade names are given for the reagents employed where applicable and other symbols employed for the sake of brevity. In this connection, the materials, identified by their trade names or symbols, are defined as follows:

Amine Acetate is the designation employed for oleyl amine acetate.

Reagent 801 is a sulfonated mineral oil.

Reagent 825 is a sulfonated petroleum hydrocarbonmaterial of the oil-soluble, water-dispersible mahogany type.

ABS is the designation employed for dodecyl benzene sulfonate.

The mention of reagents other than alkyl aryl sulfonate should not be construed to imply that their use forms a part of the present invention, either singly or in combina tion, except when combined with alkyl aryl sulfonate as a depressant in the specified manner, and for the specified purpose. In the ensuing examples, where alumina and iron analyses are given, these are furnished simply to show that the products of two comparative tests are more or less equal in quality.

Example 1 A typical alaskite feldspar ore from Mitchell County, North Carolina, relatively unweathered, reduced to minus 20 mesh and deslimed was processed in accordance with standard flotation techniques for mica, iron minerals, feldspar and silica sand separations as follows:

After mixing, a sample weighing approximately 500 grams (dry) was conditioned for 2 minutes at 60 percent solids with sulfuric acid, oleyl amine acetate, fuel oil and pine oil. The conditioned pulp was then washed into a Denver SOD-gram flotation cell and froth flotation performed. Following this, a second flotation was per formed in like manner to remove iron minerals, after conditioning with sulfuric acid, sulfonated mineral oil and pine oil. Finally, a third conditioning and flotation was performed to separate feldspar and quartz using, as reagents, hydrofluoric acid, amine acetate, fuel oil and pine oil.

The initial mica froth product was re-floated to lower grit level with no conditioning or reagent addition preceding.

A second sample was floated in the same manner as above, except that sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate was substituted completely for the sulfuric acid in the mica flotation.

Comparison of tabulated results below will show the superiority of the alkyl benzene sulfonic acid-mica flotation over the conventional mineral acid flotation.

Products, Percent Sulfuric ABS Acid Plus Gil-mesh mica 3.0 2. 8 Minus 60 mica 4. 1 2.8 Mica refloat mids 4. 5 1. 2 Iron float F.P 3.2 3.2 Feldspar F.P 57. 6 61. 5 Quartz tails 24. 2 25. 1 Losses during flot 3. 4 3. 4 Reagents, lbs/ton:

(a) Mica or Vermic.

H 804 24 ABS- 11 Amine acetate 16 16 Fuel oil 90 90 Pine oil 20 20 (b) Iron Minerals-- 1.25 1.25 33 33 66 66 19 19 Percent Spar Recovery (from orig. sample) 57. 6 61. 5 Analysis:

Percent A1 0 19. 31 19. 49 Percent Fe O 076 060 Percent Grit:

Plus 60 mica 7. 2 2. 5

Example 2 The ore used was treated in accordance with the procedures of Example 1 except that there was a high level of biotite, which, under existing flotation procedures, presents a serious problem of removal. Quantitative results, set forth below, again demonstrate the superiority of a mica flotation, employing an alkyl benzene sulfonate as depressant in place of mineral acid in the flotation circuit. In this example, the decidedly lower Fe O analysis of the feldspar product is indicative of the improved degree of biotite removal from the mica flotation.

Products, Percent Sulfuric ABS Acid Plus 60-mesh mica 1. 7 2.0 Minus 6O mica 3. 9 2. 4 Mica refloat mids 6. 8 2. 0 Iron float F.P 1. 7 2.0 Feldspar F.P 61.9 65.0 Quartz tails 21. 7 23. 2 Losses during flot 2. 3 3. 4 Reagents, lbs/ton:

(a) Mica or vermic- 11 .14 17 90 90 20 20 (b) Iron Minerals- HzSO4- 46 46 825 sulfonate 64 64 801 sulfonate Pine oil 10 .10

1. 23 1. 23 32 32 65 e l8 18 Percent Spar Recovery (from orig. sample) 61.9 65.0 Analysis:

Percent A1 0 19. 56 19.56 Percent M 0 .096 053 Percent Grit:

Plus 60 mesh 4.1 3. 9

Example 3 Another ore sample, similar to that employed in Examples l and 2 was selected. This sample, however, was Weathered, the feldspar thus being softer, with some kaolinization.

Flotation treatment of the ore was the same as the two preceding examples except for reagent levels and again the results demonstrate superiority of the mica flotation employing an alkyl benzene sulfonate in place of acid in the flotation circuit.

Products, Percent Sulfuric ABS Aci Plus GO-mesh mica 3.1 2.3 Minus 60 mesh 4.0 2. 7 Mica refioat mids 7. 4 2. 1 Iron Float F.P 2. 1 2. 9 Folds 56. 5 62. Quartz tails 24. 6 25. 4 Losses during flot 2. 3 2.6 Reagents, lbs/ton:

(a) Mica or vermic.

O A 24 ABS. Amine acetate 14 18 Fuel 0' 1. 00 1.00 Pine oil 20 20 (1)) Iron Mi'nerals I O .48 48 825 sulfonate 67 67 801" snlfnnate Pine oil 10 10 (c) Feldspar- HF (70%) 1.28 1. 28 Amine acetate .34 .34 Fuel oil .67 67 Pine oil .19 19 Percent Spar Recovery (from orig. sample) 56. 62.0 Analysis:

Percent A1 0 20.11 20. 14 Percent Fe 0 060 050 Percent Grit:

Plus 60 Mica 7. 3 1.7

A typical alaskite feldspar ore from Mitchell County, North Carolina of the type employed in the preceding examples, but with mica already removed by froth flotation, was conditioned with sulfuric acid, sulfonated mineral oil and pine oil and then placed in a laboratory flotation cell (Denver type) and the iron froth product removed. Similar flotations were performed on additional samples of ore with neutralized sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate and un-neutralized dodecyl benzene sulionic acid respectively in addition to the sulfuric acid in the circuit.

Quantitative results, tabulated below, clearly demonstrate that dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid, neutralized or not, will accomplish stronger separation in iron mineral flotation, causing lower iron oxide level in the resulting underflow product.

Products, Percent Acid Acid-ABS Acid-Acid Iron float F.P 1.8 8. 0 7.0 Feldspar-Quartz M.D 98. 2 92.0 93.0

Reagents, lbs/ton:

Iron Mincrals Percent A1 0;

Percent F9 0;: 123

1 Unseparated product, spar plus quartz.

EXAMPLE 4 Vermiculite flotation:

Conditioned 1 minute, thin pulp, with H 80 amine acetate, fuel oil, and pine oil, then floated. Iron mineral flotation:

Conditioned 2 minutes, thick pulp, with H 50 two petroleum sulfonates, and pine oil, then floated. Feldspar flotation:

Conditioned 2 minutes, medium pulp, with HF, amine acetate, fuel oil and pine oil, then floated.

The second flotation series practically duplicated the first except for the addition of neutralized sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate to the first vermiculite flotation, with a reduced amount of mineral acid.

The results tabulated below indicate the superiority of the reagents of the invention in flotation procedures.

Products, Percent Acid ABS,

Float 1 Plus (SO-mesh mica. Minus 60 mica Mica refloat mids 10. 9 5. 3 Iron float RP-.. 2. 8 3. 2 Feldspar F.P 50. 9 55. 1 Quartz tails 35. 4 36. 4 Losses during fiot. Reagents, lbs/ton:

(a) Mica or Vermie- 2504 26 10 AB S 26 Amine acetate 26 .31 Fuel oil 1. l0 1. l0 21 21 (1)) Iron Minerals H2804 26 26 AB S 825 sulfonate 1. 10 1. 10 801 sulfonate 1. 1O 1. 10 Pine oil .21 21 (c) Feldspar- HF 2. 20 2. 20 Amine acetate- .31 .31 Fuel oil 1. 10 1. 10 Pine oil .21 21 Analysis:

Percent A1 0 17. 88 18. 25 Percent F8203 300 .285

What is claimed is; 1. A process for the beneficiation of mica-bearing ores which comprises the steps of:

(a) forming an aqueous pulp of a size-reduced micaceous ore (b) conditioning the ore pulp at a pH of 7 or less with a reagent combination comprising an oiling agent, a frother, a cationic collector and a depressant of the general formula where R is a member selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkaryl and aralkyl groups, n is an integer having a value of 1 to 8 inclusive, Ar is selected from the group consisting of an aromatic nucleus and a partially hydrogenated aromatic nucleus, and M is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a metal,

(0) subjecting the conditioned ore to aeration and agitation at a pH of 7 or less; and

(d) collecting the purified micaceous materials as a froth concentrate substantially free of gangue.

2. A process for the beneficiation of mica-bearing ores which comprises the steps of:

(a) forming an aqueous pulp of a size-reduced micaceous ore (b) conditioning the ore pulp at a pH of 7 or less with a reagent combination comprising a strong inorganic mineral acid, an oiling agent, a frother, a cationic collector and a depressant of the general formula where R is a member selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkaryl and aralkyl groups, n is an integer having a value of l to 8 inclusive, Ar is selected from the group consisting of an aromatic nucleus and a partially hydrogenated aromatic nucleus, and M is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a metal.

(c) subjecting the conditioned ore to aeration and agitation at a pH of 7 or less; and

(d) collecting the purified micaoequs materials as a froth concentrate substantially free of gangue.

3. A process as described in claim 1, wherein M is an alkali metal.

4. A process for the beneficiation of micaceous minerals which comprises the steps of (a) forming an aqueous pulp of a size-reduced micaceous ore,

(b) conditioning the ore pulp at a pH of 7 or less with a reagent combination comprising a dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid as a depressant, an oiling agent, a frother and a cationic collector,

(c) subjecting the conditioned ore to aeration and agitation at a pH of 7 or less; and

(d) separating and collecting a micaceous froth concentrate from the flotation tailings.

5. A process for the beneficiation of micaceous minerals which comprises the steps of:

(a) forming an aqueous pulp of a size-reduced micaceous ore,

(b) conditioning the ore pulp at a pH of 7 or less with a reagent combination comprising dinonyl naphthalene sulfonic acid as a depressant, an oiling agent, a frother and a cationic collector,

(c) subjecting the conditioned ore to aeration and agitation at a pH of 7 or less; and

(d) separating and collecting a micaceous froth concentrate from the flotation tailings.

6. A process for the beneficiation of micaceous minerals which comprises the steps of:

(a) forming an aqueous pulp of a size-reduced micaceous ore,

(b) conditioning the ore pulp at a pH of 7 or less with a reagent combination comprising mono-tetrapropyl benzene sulfonic acid as a depressant, an oiling agent, a frother and a cationic collector,

(c) subjecting the conditioned ore to aeration and agitation at a pH of 7 or less; and

(d) separating and collecting a micaceous froth concentrate from the flotation tailings.

7. A process for n15 beneficiation of micaceous minerals which comprises the steps of:

(a) forming an aqueous pulp of a size-reduced micaceous ore,

(b) conditioning the ore pulp at a pH of 7 or less with a reagent combination comprising 6-butyl-6-dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid as a depressant, an oiling agent, a frother and a cationic collector,

(c) subjecting the conditioned ore to aeration and agitation at a pH of 7 or less; and

(d) separating and collecting a micaceous froth concentrate from the flotation tailings.

8. A process for the beneficiation of micaceous minerals which comprises the steps of:

(a) forming an aqueous pulp of a size-reduced micaceous ore,

(b) conditioning the ore pulp at a pH of 7 or less with a reagent combination comprising 7-ethyl-7-tetradecyl benzene sulfonic acid as a depressant, an oiling agent, a frother and a cationic collector,

(c) subjecting the conditioned ore to aeration and agitation at a pH of 7 or less; and

(d) separating and collecting a micaceous froth concentrate from the flotation tailings.

9. A process for the beneficiation of micaceous minerals which comprises the steps of:

(a) forming an aqueous pulp of a size-reduced micaceous ore,

(b) conditioning the ore pulp at a pH of 7 or less with a reagent combination comprising dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid as a depressant, a strong, inorganic mineral acid, an oiling agent, a frother and a cationic collector,

(c) subjecting the conditioned ore to aeration and agitation at a pH of 7 or less; and

(d) separating and collecting a micaceous froth concentrate from the flotation tailings.

10. A process for the beneficiation of micaceous minerals which comprises the steps of:

(a) forming an aqueous pulp of a size-reduced micaceous ore,

(b) conditioning the ore pulp at a pH of 7 or less with a reagent combination comprising dinonyl naphthalene sulfonic acid as a depressant, a strong, inorganic mineral acid, an oiling agent, a frother and a cationic collector,

(c) subjecting the conditioned ore to aeration and agitation at a pH of 7 or less; and

(d) separating and collecting a micaceous froth concentrate from the flotation tailings.

11. A process for the beneficiation of micaceous minerals which comprises the steps of:

(a) forming an aqueous pulp of a size-reduced micaceous ore,

(b) conditioning the ore pulp at a pH of 7 or less with a reagent combination comprising mono-tetrapropyl benzene sulfonic acid as a depressant, a strong, in organic mineral acid, an oiling agent, a frother and a cationic collector,

(c) subjecting the conditioned ore to aeration and agitation at a pH of 7 or less; and

(d) separating and collecting a micaceous froth concentrate from the flotation tailings.

12. A process for the beneficiation of micaceous minerals which comprises the steps of:

(a) forming an aqueous pulp of a size-reduced micaceous ore,

(b) conditioning the ore pulp at a pH of 7 or less with a reagent combination comprising 6-butyl-6-dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid as a depressant, a strong, inorganic mineral acid, an oiling agent, a frother and a cationic collector,

(c) subjecting the conditioned ore to aeration and agitation at a pH of 7 or less; and

(d) separating and collecting a micaceous froth concentrate from the flotation tailings.

13. A process for the beneficiation of micaceous minerals which comprises the steps of:

(a) forming an aqueous pulp of a size-reduced micaceous ore,

(b) conditioning the ore pulp at a pH of 7 or less with a reagent combination comprising 7-ethyl-7-tetradecyl benzene sulfonic acid as a depressant, a strong, inorganic mineral acid, an oiling agent, a frother and a cationic collector,

(c) subjecting the conditioned ore to aeration and agitation at a pH of 7 or less; and

(d) separating and collecting a micaceous froth concentrate from the flotation tailings.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,132,902 6/34 Lenher 209166 2,197,689 4/40 OMeara 209166 2,278,107 =3/42 Jayne 209166 2,483,192 9/49 Gieseke 209166 2,643,770 6/53 Gieseke 209166 2,748,938 6/56 Bunge 209166 HARRY B. THORNTON, Primary Examiner.

HERBERT L. MARTIN, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 ,214 ,018 October 26, 1965 John P Neal It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, line 18, for "benefication" re d be fi iati n column 7, in the table at the top of the page, third column, lines 1 and 2 thereof, for "2.3" and 2.7", respectively, read 2.7 and 2.3 respectively; line 26, beginning with "A typical" strike out all to and including "spar plus quartz." in line 54, same column 7; same column 7, line 61, strike out "type", first occurrence.

Signed and sealed this 4th day of October 1966.

(SEAL) Attest: ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A PROCESS FOR THE BENEFICIATION OF MICA-BEARING ORES WHICH COMPRISES THE STEPS OF: (A) FORMING AN AQUEOUS PULP OF A SIZE-REDUCED MICACEOUS ORE (B) CONDITIONING THE ORE PULP AT A PH OF 7 OR LESS WITH A REAGENT COMBINATION COMPRISING AN OILING AGENT, A FROTHER, A CATIONIC COLLECTOR AND A DEPRESSANT OF THE GENERAL FORMULA 